Relation between microstructure and adhesion of hot dip galvanized zinc coatings on dual phase steel

► Amorphous manganese oxides present at the steel surface impair the adhesion of the zinc coating. ► The adhesion of the various interfaces that exist in zinc coated steel is quantitatively estimated using the “Macroscopic Atom” model. ► Zinc coating delaminates along the zinc layer/inhibition layer and ζ-FeZn13 particle/inhibition layer interfaces, which agrees the theoretical calculation.